Citi Prestige, the global credit card product launched by Citibank which is positioned as their answer to American Express Platinum, will have a change of service providers as of February 1, 2016.
For the past two years, Citibank had Ten Group running the Concierge desk for the product in all the markets where the Citi Prestige product was offered, including India and the USA. The Ten Group is the same company which also provides concierge services for the Etihad Residences.
However, as per an email from Citibank, the service provider will change as of February 1, 2016 and Aspire Lifestyle will be the new concierge provider.
Citibank’s move to Aspire Lifestyle will be a global one, although the email just mentions the Indian version. This will mean a new onboarding process for the new concierge provider, and at least the Indian members will have to call again to register with the concierge service.
Aspire, hence, will be responsible to deliver member benefits such as the British Airways upgrade, the Taj Inner Circle upgrades and the 4th night free benefit, and will need to be contacted for all these benefits. For getting reward points you still need to head to Citibank India’s own line.
To the best of my knowledge, all your bookings and current travel data and information should be seamlessly transferred between the two companies, and you don’t need to worry, apart from going through a new registration process when the concierge service switch goes through.
This move is the coming home for Aspire, whose parent company International SOS was the concierge service provider for Ultima, which was the earlier version of the Citi Prestige in Asia. I seriously hope there is a good team on the job this time, because I have left my Amex Platinum, as well as Citi Ultima cards back in the day because they could not provide good concierge services, amongst other stuff.
Anybody have any experience dealing with Aspire Lifestyle in the past?
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I keep reading experiences online , where cardholders have contacted the Concierge and managed to get concert tickets / reservations etc. when it isn’t easy otherwise. Does the concierge charge any “service fee” for these gestures ?? ( Apart from the ticket costs etc. )
@delhi_traveller, no, the concierge is a service paid for by the credit card issuer to be able to get you to spend on more stuff with them 🙂
Thanks Ajay !!
My first experience with Aspire, I’m still on hold 15 minutes so far after calling the Citi Prestige Concierge Number.
I contacted the new Conceirge service. Was not impressed. The earlier service provider was more experienced. Let me know if any body else have an experience?
Thanks